An Ecuadorian national, Carlos Guaico-Bano, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. The plea was made in a federal court in Boston. Guaico-Bano, 35, was previously arrested in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on state charges of assault and battery in November 2021. He received a suspended sentence for these charges and was released from state custody without immigration authorities being notified.
U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs has scheduled his sentencing for September 15, 2025. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Guaico-Bano’s attempts to enter the U.S. have been persistent; he was encountered by Border Patrol multiple times in early 2020 across Texas locations such as Brackettville, Eagle Pass, and El Paso. In each instance, he was found to be unlawfully present and returned to Mexico.
Despite receiving a Notice to Appear at removal proceedings on March 3, 2020, Guaico-Bano attempted another illegal entry instead of attending the proceedings. Consequently, he was taken into custody and ordered removed back to Ecuador on the same day.
In September 2020, Guaico-Bano made yet another attempt to illegally enter the U.S., which resulted in his removal back to Ecuador once more.
His presence in Lawrence became known to immigration authorities following his arrest on November 17, 2021. Although convicted of assault charges with an 18-month suspended sentence imposed upon him, he managed to evade immediate action from immigration officials due to his release from custody.
The charge of unlawful reentry carries a potential sentence of up to two years in prison along with one year of supervised release and fines reaching $250,000. Following any imposed sentence completion, deportation is expected for Guaico-Bano based on federal guidelines and statutes.
The announcement came from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Patricia H. Hyde from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston.
